Students from Charles Darwin University (CDU) in the Northern Territory have travelled to Greece for an educational trip which coincides with the 4th International Conference on the Hellenic Diaspora.
Led by Associate Professor George Frazis, the students are visiting Greece to learn about Greek culture, history and language. They are taking part in the University’s Greek In-Country language program which gives people over 18 years of age a chance to experience Greek culture first-hand.
The program runs from June 29 to July 18 and includes Kalymnos and other Greek islands, Athens, and a study trip in the northern mainland region of Macedonia.
So far, the students have visited the Embassy of Australia in Greece and met with Ambassador Alison Duncan and Greece’s Secretary General for Greeks Abroad, John Chrysoulakis.
In a post on Facebook, Mr Chrysoulakis said he hopes to expand the University’s Greek In-Country language program in collaboration with the Australian Embassy. He also said other Australian universities are planning similar initiatives in Greece.
During their trip, the students have also enjoyed the second day of the 4th International Conference on the Hellenic Diaspora at the University of the Aegean in Rhodes on June 29. The third day will be hosted by the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki on July 12.
The conference, which first began in 2017, is an interdisciplinary collaboration between CDU, the University of the Aegean, and the University of Macedonia in Greece.
It highlights research from individuals around the world on the Greek language, literature, identity and culture, migration, history of the Greek diaspora in Australia, experiences and perspectives of Hellenes and First Nations Australians.
The conference began earlier this year in Darwin with the launch of the publication of Perspectives on the Hellenic Diaspora Volume 3, which covers research presented at the 2022 conference as well as other academic papers.